Snyder appointee contradicts him on Legionnaires' outbreak

A state official is contradicting Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder about when the governor learned about a Flint area Legionnaires' disease outbreak.

Harvey Hollins, who was coordinating the state's response to the Flint water crisis, says he told Snyder by phone in December 2015. But the governor has repeatedly said he didn't know until the next month when he announced the outbreak.

Snyder's office declined to comment Friday.

The issue emerged as Hollins testified at a court hearing involving Nick Lyon, head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Lyon is charged with involuntary manslaughter and misconduct. Prosecutors say he failed to alert the public quickly about Legionnaires'.

A judge must decide whether to send Lyon to trial. Some experts have linked Legionnaires' to Flint's poor water quality in 2014-15.

Congressman Dan Kildee issued the following statement after Hollins' testimony:

Mr. Hollins’ testimony raises concerning questions about the Governor’s statements that need to be answered. I have already spoken to the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Congressman Elijah Cummings, and asked that the committee immediately look into these conflicting statements. I am confident that the committee will look into this matter right away and get to the truth.

People have to tell the truth when they testify before Congress. No one is above the law and misleading Congress is a very serious offense.